Shloka 14
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
यदि ते<स्ति युयुत्साद्य मया सह नराधिप । निर्दयो निशितैर्बाणै: प्रहर प्रहरामि ते,नरेश्वर! यदि मेरे साथ तुम्हारी युद्ध करनेकी इच्छा है तो निर्दयतापूर्वक पैने बाणोंद्वारा मुझपर प्रहार करो। मैं भी तुमपर प्रहार करूँगा
sañjaya uvāca | yadi te 'sti yuyutsādy(a) mayā saha narādhipa | nirdayo niśitair bāṇaiḥ prahara praharāmi te, nareśvara ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai raja, bila hari ini engkau sungguh ingin bertempur denganku, maka hantamlah aku—tanpa belas kasihan—dengan anak panah yang tajam. Aku pun akan menghantam engkau, wahai penguasa manusia.”
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim reciprocity of wartime conduct: if one chooses battle, one must accept its full severity and the equal right of the opponent to respond. It reflects the hard-edged kṣatriya ethos where resolve and accountability accompany the decision to fight.
Sañjaya voices a direct challenge to a king: if the king intends to fight him, he should attack with sharp arrows without hesitation, and Sañjaya declares he will retaliate in kind. The line functions as a confrontational exchange amid the Drona Parva battlefield setting.